Comments

oluhjnb

Three drooling idiots disagreed that "Paper will stand anything written on it" So--there must be some piece of paper somewhere that fights back if the wrong words are used. It's no wonder I laugh at these people.

benlofton

Loghog, The National Council of Churches which represents 33 million Protestants says this: Whereas, the churches, in a statement of The Social Ideals have stood for the right of employees and employers alike to organize for collective bargaining.Resolved:that the National Council record it's conviction that not only has labor a right to organize, but also that it is socially desireable that it do so because of the need for collective action in the maintenance of standards of living.Loghog, I challenge you to find out what your churches position is. You may be surprised.

benlofton

(continued )In order that the rights of all members of society may be maintained & promoted, we support innovative bargaining procedures that include representatives of the public interest in negotiation & settlement of labor management contracts, including some that may lead to forms of judicial resolution of issues. We reject the use of violence by either party during collective bargaining or any labor management disagreement. We likewise reject the permanent replacement of a worker who engages in a lawful strike.

benlofton

Loghog,Make no mistake these are my true religious feelings and as a United Methodist they are in accordance with the teachings of my church, whose official statement on collective bargaining rights reads:WE support the right of all public & private employees and employers to organize for collective bargaining into unions and other groups of their own choosing.Further, we support the right of both parties to protection in so doing & their responsibility to bargain in good faith within the framework of public interest.

LogHog

lofton, you sir may clam to be a christian, but that doesn't make it so..being a "Christian" has nothing to do with being a union supporter...if you are truly in "Christ" are you for life? or are you pro abortion? you sound like your all pro union..are you all pro union bosses..the corruption in most union leaders in how the due money is spent is common knowledge...are you pro Democrate? are you pro Republican? both major parties are in bed with the big banks and are stealing money right from the common mans pockets...Mr. Ben Lofton, maybe you should think before trying to use being a "Christian" in your statements...that's fine if you want to support unions, but being a "Christian" has nothing to do with it.

promo61

The era of the union has passed. I don't blame folks who support the theory, but its usefulness reached its peak and is in decline. The political headwinds are against unions - at least in the private sector, and public opinion is largely negative. That's a tall mountain to overcome from a public relations standpoint. Travel to the Carolinas to see the growth of industry and ask yourself why not here? The overriding answer is: a history of union oppression. Mr. Lofton's points are well argued and substantive, but this is a zero-sum game. He can be right and still be on the wrong side of cultural evolution.

benlofton

Thoughtful,The point is that the existence of a labor union and a collective bargaining agreement doesn't prohibit advancement but,rather, provide a structure and framework to promote fair decisions.I wish that I could afford to take some time off work and go on this trip with you. Along the way we could stop at the ghetto's, housing projects and slums. I wish we could visit soup kitchens and homeless shelters and talk to the people.One fourth of American jobs pay poverty level wages.

Thoughtful

Mr. Lofton, Absolutely untrue in any circumstance.Sorry Sir, you are off track.I have been there so please do not go down that path. You are off base. You will lose credibility with that argument. If you believe that, I need to take you on a trip and talk

benlofton

Thoughtful,Most workers depend on the personality and generosity of their bosses to survive and hopefully advance.As in any situation where only a few have power, one's life depends on the whims of the elite clique that's running the show.If you are in favor of the ruling faction, you can survive and sometimes thrive.If you're not another fate awaits you.While there are policies in place at non union companies, the employer isn't legally obligated to respect them, a common myth among non union workers.These decisions rest with the employer alone.The theory is that merit rules,but most workers know better.

Angels4u

thoughtful, I ask you. What do you suggest for slave employees working for companies that DO NOT deeply value their associates,training them and building their expertise. I know of many such companies and employees, I work for one. I work above & beyond my job duties, do not call off sick, work through lunch, overtime, and I get told what a good employee I am. I also have been to college. This does not help pay my bills. I drive an old car. People use credit cards for doctors, dental, and food, then have to file bank ruptcy. Yes times have changed. People can not ride a horse to work,plant gardens in the city & live off the land. Dad & Mom both work just to keep a roof over their head praying they are not downsized after years of hard working devotion to their employer!Cries to our employers for a raise and benefits is to no avail. That is why we need unions. Not every company needs a union, just the uncaring greedy ones.

Thoughtful

Mr Lofton, I have managed thousands of associates, trained them, challenged them, respected them, guided and mentored them, and in a few instances had to terminate them. Many companies today deeply value their associates, spend thousands of dollars training them and building their expertise. this is the process that truly works in the relationship today. Success for the company and success for the associate. A win, win situation. again, I am not anti union but all of us should view the broader reality in this world today. Times have changed and there are hundreds of progressive companies who value their contributing partners.

benlofton

benlofton

Turley I am reminded of the Good Samaritan in Luke chapter 10 verse 30-37.A man wanted to trick Jesus and show him that he knew a little more than Jesus.The man wanted to justify his lack of love for some people.Jesus replied with an illustration:a Jew was robbed beaten and left for dead, by chance a priest came by, saw the man lying there and out of fear for himself, crossed the road and passed him by.A Jewish temple assistant walked by the man as well.A des***** Samaritan came along and felt pity for the man.The Samaritan soothed his wounds and bandaged them.He put the man on his donkey and walked beside him, til they came to an inn, where he nursed the man.He paid the innkeeper and told him to care for the man."Now which of these men was a neighbor to the victim?" Jesus asked."The man who showed him pity." the man replied.The Jesus said,"now go and do the same" You see we must not ask "what will happen to me if I help my neighbor" we must as

Angels4u

turley, It is a blessing to be wealthy! Greed is what started the need for our first union when horses were favored over employees in value. God blesses us so we can be a blessing to others. If this was being done, there would be no need for unions. As much as you would like to have God removed from our choices to make right decisions, we do need His guidance. His Book, the Bible, is clear on the hearts of greedy men. God does have a place in this. The Bible says so. I stand firm on this! The only malfunction going on here is, the greedy hearts of men. Thank God, Ben has the heart and mind set to stand up for what is right. Yes, the greediness within unions is just as bad. Both employers, and unions need a heart change. This should not be a battle, it should be a time of giving from employers, & thankfulness within unions. Democrats care for the hard working men and women in Our Country! Republicans value horses over men as well. Union or non-union, greed is a sin.

turley

Angel---your speech is incomplete....did your telepromter malfunction too???LOL!!....this is my final comment on this topic. I live in an area where ANYBODY with a "D" after their name on an election ballot is supported....and where ANYONE claiming to have the workers interest at heart is cheered.....again people----they have been in power for over 5 years......LOOK AROUND YOU....and good luck getting "secure jobs" with your antique viewpoints on wealth, profit and business.....you folks believe that businesses exist to provide jobs!!!!...news flash: jobs are the bi-product of wealth and profit....terms you all consider to be dirty words.

oluhjnb

thedogg

you keep missing the point,unions have a purpose to keep a fair wage and some help you keep a job. retail loves to dump people after they work their way up towards the top. a right to work state such as az attracts a lot of companies because they pay what they want, makes for a lot of turn over because your always looking for a better paying job , doesnt help with any type of retirement if your not stable in one place. unions are good and needed just got to get the greedy people runnning them out of office.

Angels4u

I work everyday. We are partial non-union. The union workers get benefits of every kind & increases in pay. Their jobs are secure. Our non-union jobs are not secure, we are treated like slaves no vacations,sick days,or raises. turley, Your statement,"keep those bar stools covered with your pudgy bottoms......some of us are going back to WORK." How dare you judge the hard working people being treated like dirt. Pudgy bottoms on bar stools? Everyday I see hard working men & women beg for work after working non-union jobs for years,& were downsized. Democrats care about people. Unions are security for men & women slaving to keep employers dreams alive. Our dream I assure you,is not to sit on pudgy bottom bar stools. Our dream is to feel proud at the end of the day. We deserve to have benefits for our families. The American Dream is for all, not just the rich & powerful that crack the whips on the hard working people that got them there. Unions are for the